Taking place during Anti-Poverty Week, the Society’s Rosalie Rendu Forum saw an acclaimed group of women come together on 19 October 2023 to discuss the impact of the cost of living crisis on people doing it tough and on our society as a whole. It was the first in-person forum since 2019. 

Over 100 people attended in person at the University of Notre Dame, Broadway or online to hear the exceptional panel comprising the Society’s Sr Carmel Hanson; Ms Joanna Quilty, then CEO, NSW Council of Social Service; Dr Lisa Buxton of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Sydney; Yumi Lee, CEO,  NSW Older Women’s Network; and Verity Firth, UTS Pro-Vice Chancellor – Social Justice and Inclusion. 

The speakers discussed the changing demographics of economic hardship, the ongoing disadvantage and poorer outcomes faced by First Nations peoples, rates of older women experiencing homelessness, and the understanding of collective action as a means of addressing inequality. Yumi Lee positioned herself as a strong candidate for the next election, winning the audience over with her call to, “…fund all the ‘cares’ – childcare, health care, aged care!”  

We thank all of our speakers and attendees at the event, with a special thanks to the University of Notre Dame for hosting the 2023 Rosalie Rendu Forum. 

Not able to join us on the night? You can watch the recording here.